Curated OER
The Renewed Glory of Old Glory
Students investigate how increased patriotism as a reaction to national crisis can serve as both a uniting and a dividing force.
Curated OER
Historical Lessons on Wartime and Race Relations
Students identify perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940's. They recognize the ramifications of such perceptions on Asian American and Arab American.
Curated OER
Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case
Students examine the balance between civil liberties and protection. In this national security lesson, students explore the Korematsu case which references the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Students draw comparisons between...
PBS
Walt Whitman: Journalist and Poet
Can you love something so much you want to change it? Young patriots investigate Walt Whitman's love of America—and his suggestions to improve it—using primary sources as well as video evidence. Scholars research American issues of the...
Smithsonian Institution
Mobilizing Children
Scholars find out how the government used propaganda to mobilize children to help in the war effort. Lesson exercises include analyzing a quote from Franklin Roosevelt, viewing propaganda images and posters, and participating in a lively...
Smithsonian Institution
Lexington and Concord: Historical Interpretation
Learners view and analyze three different images related to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. They also answer a variety of questions in a graphic organizer to help keep the information straight.
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
A Deliberate, Palpable and Dangerous Exercise of Other Powers: James Madison & Homeland Security
This resource uses primary source documents to explore the First Amendment. After reviewing key events of the 1790s, government or US history classes explore Madison's letter to Jefferson regarding the Alien and Sedition Acts. They then...
Curated OER
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel
Jamie Ford’s historical novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, explores the relationship between a young Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl set against the backdrop of Seattle during World War II. The teaching...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The President Under the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation sounds like one big, fancy title to middle schoolers. Here, scaffolded steps help to ease novices into understanding this all-important American document. Discussion questions, lesson activities, and ideas...
Curated OER
Paul Revere: The Midnight Rider
Students watch a video of "Paul Revere: The Midnight Rider," complete a vocabulary list and discuss the video using the questions that are provided.
Curated OER
Mixed Blessings
Learners investigate the recent federal appeals court decision finding the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. They further investigate the notions of constitutionality and separation between church and state by analyzing a patriotic...
Curated OER
America Poems
Students examine examples of how other Americans have expressed their feelings about America through songs and poetry, and write their own poems to express their relationship with America.
Curated OER
Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?
Fifth graders describe the changes in King George III's policy toward the American colonies by sequencing key events between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They explain the colonial reactions to command decisions...
Curated OER
Discovering Fall
Young scholars explore the American landscape during fall. After viewing paintings of fall, learners imagine themselves there and what it would be like. They then build an understanding of the painter's use of detail and color before...
Curated OER
Government: War Powers Limitations
Students examine historic examples of authority during wartime. They interpret the Fifth Amendment. They debate the merits of the Patriot Act.
DocsTeach
To Sign or Not to Sign
To sign or not to sign, that is the question. Scholars review the Declaration of Independence and discuss the Framers' decisions for signing the document. The activity uses primary text, a worksheet, and group discussion to help...
DocsTeach
Memorials, Statues, and Monuments to George Washington
An activity uses images of George Washington's statues to compare how they represent different aspects of his life. Scholars complete a worksheet based on their findings and then share as a group how they would construct a new memorial...
DocsTeach
Comparing Depictions of the Boston Massacre
Academics compare images of the Boston Massacre to understand differing opinions of the event. Scholars view multiple images, participate in group discussion, and complete a series of written prompts. Young historians gain an...
Curated OER
(Texas) Capitol Visitors Center, Pre-Visit Lesson Plan, Grades K-3
Young scholars examine pictures of the four flags Texas had had through history. They discuss similarities among the flags and they relate the flag as a patriotic symbol of Texas. Then they create their own flag incorporating a Lone...
Curated OER
Symbols of Freedom
Students display knowledge of historical facts regarding the American Flag as they use creative writing skills.
Curated OER
Telegram from Senator Joseph McCarthy to President Harry S. Truman
Students research the McCarthy hearings to determine the following: time frame of hearings, how they were broadcast, how the press reacted, and how the American people reacted in light of the Korean Conflict and the Cold War.
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? Powers and Problems
High schoolers list qualities they believe made George Washington an effective military leader. They discuss difficulties Washington faced as Commander-in-Chief and how he responded to the difficulties he faced as the leader of the...
Curated OER
Local Mobilization for War
Tenth graders analyze how government policies led to complete concentration in war effort, evaluate how patriotism was encouraged by many local and state groups, and discuss fate of Japanese Americans.
Curated OER
War Expectations
Learners determine what they think Americans currently expect regarding warfare and its cost in human lives and examine the sources of these expectations.